In a devastating accident on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at approximately 2:50 p.m., two vehicles collided head-on along State Highway 174 between Blum and Rio Vista, resulting in the loss of three lives. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers swiftly responded to the scene to investigate the crash and provide assistance.
According to preliminary reports, a sedan traveling northbound on SH-174 lost control while attempting to pass another vehicle. Tragically, the sedan veered into the southbound lane and collided head-on with an SUV. The impact of the collision was severe, causing significant damage to both vehicles and leaving the occupants in critical condition.
Rescue efforts were immediately initiated to extricate the occupants trapped inside the mangled vehicles. The driver of the sedan, a 20-year-old man from Cleburne, was heavily trapped and it took the dedicated efforts of firefighters nearly two hours to free him from the wreckage. Despite the extensive rescue operation, the young man's injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced deceased upon arrival at a Fort Worth hospital.
The driver of the SUV, a 74-year-old woman from Hillsboro, tragically succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the accident. Her husband, who was riding as a passenger, sustained critical injuries and was promptly airlifted to a Fort Worth hospital in the hopes of receiving life-saving treatment. However, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he was also pronounced deceased.
The loss of three lives has left the community of Blum and surrounding areas mourning this tragic incident. The identities of the victims have been withheld pending notification of their families. The DPS continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine the exact cause and any contributing factors.
Ryan Howard, a representative from the Texas Department of Public Safety, emphasized the importance of safe driving practices and adherence to traffic laws. "Driving rules and etiquette can be easy to forget as we become more experienced and pay less attention to our good and bad driving habits," Howard stated. "Following traffic laws, practicing safe driving habits, and knowing how to pass safely are just a few things you can do as a driver to make the roads safer and prevent crashes."
